Master of Science in Information Systems Management
MSc(ISM)
Both full- and part-time
Full-time: 1 year
Part-time: 2 years
(provided that students attend Winter Term)
Full-time: HK$336,000
Part-time: HK$288,000
Academic Director:
Prof Rong ZHENG, Associate Professor of Information Systems, Business Statistics and Operations Management
As Hong Kong has moved from a manufacturing and export-based economy to a service-based economy, the demand for support of services has surged. The delivery of services on an international scale calls for adequate information systems support.
The Master of Science (MSc) Program in Information Systems Management is designed to meet the rapidly increasing demand for middle and senior level information systems professionals. The program provides management training which enables business and non-business students to harness technology and information systems to develop innovative business solutions. Students will study under some of the leading professors in the field, covering topics from blockchain and big data to IT strategy and policy. Outside of the classroom, students will also have the opportunity to attend enrichment talks and network with business professionals to recruit a new generation of talent.
The program offers two optional concentrations: Financial Technology (FinTech) and Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship. These concentrations provide specialized training to assist graduate preparing to work in specified fields, while maintaining a high degree of overall program flexibility.
On successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
- Analyze the core issues and identify critical factors for business decision-making;
- Solve business problems using appropriate quantitative and analytical techniques;
- Solve business problems from alternative and innovative perspectives;
- Defend reasoned solutions to business problems, includes addressing time, information, and resource constraints;
- Demonstrate information technology foundation skills in database, system engineering, programming, and network administration;
- Manage information technology projects and apply project management skills and capabilities in the context of large-scale information systems projects;
- Examine various types of IS applications and their benefits within the organizations;
- Interpret technical, organizational and managerial issues related to the use of information systems technology;
- Demonstrate management skills in the use of technical foundation knowledge in the context of information technology management issues;
- Analyze business information with information technology efficiently and effectively;
- Facilitate business innovations via the use of information systems;
- Interpret current technology trends and develop plans to leverage these trends; and
- Speak with end-users and other stakeholders about core technologies in information systems using relevant and audience appropriate technical and business language.
- Minimum Credit Requirement
30 credits
- Credit Transfer
Subject to the approval of the Program Director and the University regulations governing credit transfer, students entering via the Integrated Bachelor-Master Pathway (BBA-IS / T&M-DDP + MScISM) can transfer a maximum of 14 credits of MSc(ISM) courses taken during the undergraduate study to the program, including at most 9 credits that could be used to earn the undergraduate degree and other surplus credits.
- Core Courses
10 credits
- Required Courses
0-6 credits
Subject to the decision of the Academic Director, students who do not have sufficient background in information systems, computer science or engineering may be required to take the following three required courses:
- Elective Courses
14-20 credits
A list of electives offered in a particular year will be announced at the beginning of each intake. The elective courses are a selection of information systems management courses chosen from the portfolio of the School of Business and Management. Students may take any other courses approved by the Academic Director.
All students (full-time and part-time) are allowed to take up to 4 additional credits of electives (on top of the graduation requirement of 30 credits).
Last update: 23 Oct 2024
Students are allowed to graduate with no concentration, one concentration, or two concentrations. Students claiming a second concentration will be required to complete 34 credits in total for graduation.
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Financial Technology Concentration
Students are required to take 8 credits (4 courses) from the list of electives in Financial Technology to graduate with the Financial Technology Concentration designation. Courses to be selected and approved by the Academic Director.
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Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Concentration
Students are required to take 8 credits (4 courses) from the list of electives in Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship to graduate with the Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Concentration designation. Courses to be selected and approved by the Academic Director.
Last update: 31 July 2019
To qualify for admission, applicants must meet all of the following requirements. Admission is selective and meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
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Applicants seeking admission to a master's degree program should have obtained a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution, or an approved equivalent qualification.
Applicants have to fulfill English Language requirements with one of the following proficiency attainments:
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TOEFL-iBT: 80 *
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TOEFL-pBT: 550
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TOEFL-Revised paper-delivered test: 60 (total scores for Reading, Listening and Writing sections)
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IELTS (Academic Module): Overall score: 6.5 and All sub-score: 5.5 *
* Refers to scores in one single attempt only. Test at home option is not accepted.
Applicants are not required to present TOEFL or IELTS score if
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their first language is English, or
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they obtained the bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from an institution where the medium of instruction was English.
- Applicants are recommended to present a satisfactory score on the GRE or GMAT, with a strong showing in both quantitative and verbal skills.
- For the full-time program, applicants with work experience will have an advantage.
- For the part-time program, at least two years of full-time post-qualification work experience is preferred.
Integrated Bachelor-Master Pathway (BBA-IS / T&M-DDP + MScISM)
- Only for BBA in Information Systems (IS) students in Year 3 or above and Dual Degree in Technology andManagement (T&M-DDP) students in Year 4 or above who meet the following selection criteria:
- CGA: 3.3 or above
- For BBA(IS) students: Completed at least 90 UG credits, including transferred credits, prior to Fall start of UG final year.
- For T&M-DDP students: Completed at least 128 UG credits, including transferred credits, prior to Fall start of UG final year.
- Successful applicants will receive a conditional offer for admission to MSc(ISM) and need to pay a deposit at the prevailing deposit rate.
- They will be allowed to start taking MSc(ISM) courses in their final year of undergraduate study, and will enter the MSc(ISM) Program upon successful completion of their undergraduate degrees.
- Upon entering MSc(ISM), they can transfer up to 14 credits of MSc(ISM) courses taken during the undergraduate study to the program, including at most 9 credits that could be used to earn the undergraduate degree and other surplus credits. They will pay tuition fee for the remaining credits on a pro-rata basis, with a minimum payment for 18 credits.
Apply online before the application deadlines.
HK$800
For 2025/26 Fall Term Intake (commencing in Sep 2025):
Non-local Applicants*
Full-time: 2 Mar 2025
Part-time: 13 Apr 2025
Local Applicants
Full-time: 2 Mar 2025
Part-time: 13 Apr 2025
* Applicants are considered as non-local students if they hold (i) student visa/ entry permit; or (ii) visa under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG); or (iii) dependent visa/entry permit who were 18 years old or above when they were issued with such visa/ entry permit by the Director of Immigration. For details on student visa/ entry permit requirements, please click here.
